The high of higher education: interactivity its influence and effectiveness on virtual communities
Abstract
Purpose
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, education has shifted to online teaching and learning. Interactivity is a crucial tool used to make online education effective. This study empirically examines the role of interactivity in higher education and its influence on students' behavioral outcomes, specifically focusing on soft skills and personality upgradation.
Design/methodology/approach
A quasi-experimental research design was carried out for post-graduate students undergoing a business communication course from four major institutions. For analysis, t-test, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) have been employed. Experimental research has established the causal relationship between interactivity, personality and soft skill upgradation (SSU).
Findings
It was found that the theoretical structural model has a rational model-fit validity. Resultantly, practitioners may use prior knowledge of virtual community (VC) members to enhance web interactivity, thereby increasing social identity and social bonds in a group for more meaningful and effective delivery of online courses.
Research limitations/implications
The major limitations lie in its context-dependent nature, predominantly influenced by the pandemic-induced mandatory online learning. The study's cross-sectional design also inhibits its ability to assess goal-directed behaviors over time, necessitating further longitudinal research.
Originality/value
The study is one of the pioneering pieces of research that examines the role of pre-defined grouping and enhanced web interactivity in VCs in the context of online learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating theories of web interactivity, social bond theory (SBT) and social identity theory (SIT) provides a novel understanding of cognitive and social influences that drive meaningful online discussions and their impacts on knowledge enhancement and personality development. Its findings have implications for the design of effective online learning environments and e-learning pedagogy, contributing to the growing domain of information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Kajal Srivastava acknowledges the infrastructural support extended by Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow in completion of this article. Masood H. Siddiqui acknowledges the due support provided by University of Lucknow, Lucknow. Rahul Pratap Singh Kaurav gratefully acknowledges the infrastructural support provided by FORE School of Management, New Delhi, in completing this article. Sumit Narula extends heartfelt appreciation to Amity University, Gurgoan Campus, for its instrumental role in providing the necessary infrastructure to bring this article in light of the day. Ruturaj Baber wishes to express deep appreciation for the crucial infrastructural assistance provided by Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Nagpur, which played a pivotal role in the completion of this article.
Citation
Srivastava, K., Siddiqui, M.H., Kaurav, R.P.S., Narula, S. and Baber, R. (2023), "The high of higher education: interactivity its influence and effectiveness on virtual communities", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-09-2022-0603
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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